Emilee Unterkoefler
Getting into cooking is thrilling, fulfilling, and, most of all, belly-filling. If you know someone who has recently found a new admiration for all things culinary, they’re sure to appreciate any of these practical gifts.
From understanding the fundamentals of cooking to working their way through a new set of gadgets and tools, each of the gifts below will put a smile on your foodie friend’s face this holiday season.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
A Three-Piece Knife Set
A Set of Cutting Boards
A Set of Sheet Pans
A Dutch Oven
A Microplane Grater
A Reliable Skillet
An Immersion Blender
A Food Thermometer
An Apron
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
This cookbook by Samin Nosrat and Wendy MacNaughton provides so much more than just the fundamentals of cooking. It teaches the four pillars (salt, fat, acid, and heat) of successful culinary skills, while still allowing you to explore your own unique creativity in the kitchen.
Instead of following recipes, you will be taught how to use recipes as reference guides so you can improvise like a professional chef. You’ll learn how to use the four primary elements of cooking and learn how each affects flavor and texture. It’s a fantastic read for a new cook or professional chef alike.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking
Learn how to improvise in the kitchen.
$26.87 
$37.50 Save 28%
A Three-Piece Knife Set
Every new chef needs a trusty steed, and yes, we do mean a proper Chef’s knife. We love that this set includes two non-serrated knives and one serrated, so your favorite chef can explore working with both types.
This WÜSTHOF set of three knives includes:
- An eight-inch chef’s knife: A culinary workhorse and versatile tool that’ll slice, dice, and work through almost anything in the kitchen.
- A 4.5-inch utility knife: A handy go-to knife that is smaller than a chef’s knife yet longer than a paring knife. This utilitarian blade will help cut through fruits, veggies, delicate meats, and more.
- An eight-inch bread knife: The saw-like serrated blade will help slice through loaves of bread without tearing them apart. While the name suggests it’s only used for bread, you’ll find great use in slicing through tomatoes and other fruits or vegetables.
Each of the knives features razor-sharp high-carbon stainless-steel blades, and they are all made in Germany by a reputable brand that makes high-quality knives. Rather than buying a cheap set that’ll dull quickly, your new home chef will have a chance to experience the feel of a quality knife he or she can use for years.
A Set of Cutting Boards
A set of cutting boards always makes a nice gift, especially when you can add a personalized touch. These essential kitchen tools will pair perfectly with a new set of knives because they’ll prevent the blades from dulling as quickly.
These three well-crafted boards come in the following sizes:
- Large: 13 x 9.5 inches
- Medium: 11 x 8.5 inches
- Small: 8 x 6 inches
While a wooden cutting board looks stunning and boasts high-quality appeal, a bamboo cutting board is excellent for a new chef. They’re also cheaper and better for the environment.
Freshware Bamboo Cutting Boards Set of 3
Pair these with a set of knives and you have the perfect gift for any cook.
$14.20 $19.99 Save 29%
A Set of Sheet Pans
Sheet pans come in handy for anyone who loves baking or roasting, and this high-quality set by Nordic Ware makes a fantastic addition to any kitchen. This sturdy set of two features a half sheet (17.1 x 12.1 inches) and a quarter sheet (12.1 x 8.8 inches).
They’ll never warp over time thanks to their sturdy, heavy-duty construction, which makes them the perfect gift for any new chef to beat up over time.
Nordic Ware Sheet Pans
These sturdy, well-made pans will last for decades.
$34.73 $37.61 Save 8%
A Dutch Oven
A Dutch oven is the absolute best piece of cookware any chef can have, especially in the winter, when your soup and stew game is strong. Lodge is an American-made, family-owned brand founded in 1896. Since then, it has perfected the craftsmanship of cast-iron construction.
This gorgeous heavy-bottomed pot will sauté veggies and sear meats on a stove top, but also transfer with ease to the oven. Not to mention, a Dutch oven makes a lovely centerpiece when entertaining guests.
It’s truly the perfect piece of cookware to gift any new chef. They’ll be able to brown, braise, stew, slow cook, and roast to their heart’s content.
Lodge 4.5-Quart Dutch Oven
A versatile culinary workhorse every cook should have.
$69.90 $116.25 Save 40%
A Microplane Grater
From zesting citrus fruits to grating garlic cloves, the microplane is a tool any new cook will appreciate having in their kitchen. It can grate hard cheeses, like parmesan, with ease and works well on ginger and chocolate, too.
Microplanes come in various widths, lengths, and coarse sizes, but this fine blade version measures 12.4 x 2.95 x 1.18 inches, which is ideal for additional surface area.
A Reliable Skillet
Selecting the correct type of skillet based on your cooking style is something a new chef learns over time. There’s actually a lot to consider when choosing the best skillet, including size, weight, and the type of material.
When you’re new in the kitchen, nonstick pans are always a reliable choice. Thanks to their nonstick coating, they’re much easier to clean. We’re huge All-Clad fans because the brand makes fantastic, well-designed cookware—especially skillets.
The cladding or “bonding” of high-quality materials gives these pans a leg up, which is why this set of skillets will hold heat and get the job done.
An Immersion Blender
Immersion blenders make a fantastic gift for any chef, especially if you don’t have hundreds of dollars to gift them a high-quality blender.
Rather than placing food inside a container, an immersion blender is designed to work in a bowl or pot. It can grind, blend, emulsify, or purée liquid-based foods, like soups and sauces. Your foodie friend is sure to adore this handy tool’s help when creating fresh vinaigrettes and succulent sauces.
KitchenAid Immersion Blend
This magical hand blender transforms chunky ingredients into smooth soups, sauces, vinaigrettes, and much more.
$54.95 $59.99 Save 8%
A Food Thermometer
Whether you’re temping burgers and steaks or checking your casseroles for safe consumption, a food thermometer will always come in handy.
This is a tool that belongs in every kitchen, whether you’re a novice or an expert. Even if you know how to check the degree of doneness with your hands, double-checking with a thermometer is always a good idea, especially when it comes to meats.
From ensuring your lobster doesn’t overcook to a hard rubbery texture to ensuring your caramel sauce is the correct temp, the ThermoPro will help on all your cooking adventures.
An Apron
Finally, before your foodie friend ruins all her nice clothing, be sure to snag her a FLYKEPER apron or two. We love their adjustable neck straps and breathable material. This two-pack is even waterproof!
They also have two large (14.5 x 7.5 inches) pockets, perfect for storing your instant-read thermometer or any other kitchen gadgets.
Hopefully, this list has given you lots of gift ideas for the chefs and foodies in your life. Of course, they’re also going to need some new recipes to try out with all their new cooking gear.
